The Astros have posted three straight shutouts for the firsttime since 1986, they said in citing research by the EliasSports Bureau.

The season-ending series between NL Central clubs marks thefirst meeting of 100-loss teams in the majors since 1962, whenthe Cubs played the New York Mets.

The Astros (55-106) won for the fifth time in six games. Theyhave already matched last year's franchise-worst loss total.

"The team won three in a row. That's the way we're looking atit," Norris said. "We're trying end this thing strong and playit all the way through."

Norris (7-13) scattered four hits and won back-to-back startsfor the first time since May.

Norris pitched out of several sticky situations. He put runnersin scoring position with less than two out in four consecutiveinnings but didn't allow any runs to cross home. Norris struckout Luis Valbuena and Welington Castillo with runners on secondand third to end a fourth-inning threat.

The 27-year-old endured a 19-start winless stretch beforewinning his last two. Four Astros relievers held the Cubshitless over the final three innings. Wilton Lopez worked theninth for his 10th save in 13 chances.

Jordan Lyles tossed a complete game at Milwaukee on Sunday andLucas Harrell and three relievers combined to blank the Cubs onMonday.

Houston is 15-14 since Sept. 1 and has won its first road tripof the season with a 4-1 record. The Astros are playing theirfinal series in the NL before moving to the American League in2013.

"Either way, we're going to finish strong," DeFrancesco said."We're going to finish .500 for the month, and we're reallyexcited about the future, what's going on for next season."

DeFrancesco said Wednesday's finale will be special. He managedthe Astros' Triple-A team before he took over for the firedmanager Brad Mills on Aug. 19.

Houston is 16-24 under DeFrancesco. The Astros have chosenWashington Nationals third-base coach Bo Porter as their newmanager. DeFrancesco hopes to remain with the Astros in somecapacity.

"If everybody signs the lineup card, it will be a specialmemory," DeFrancesco said. "I'll get it framed, and move onto anew chapter in my life. This has been a very special chapter."

Chris Volstad (3-12) took the loss for the Cubs, who fell to60-101.

Castro hit his sixth homer of the year, sending a solo shot intothe right-field bleachers with two outs in the second inning.Justin Maxwell reached on shortstop Starlin Castro's 27thblunder of the year following the home run, and came around toscore on Tyler Greene's single.

Volstad was otherwise effective, striking out six and walkingnone in seven innings.

Astros pinch-hitter Brian Bogusevic walked and scored on AlbertoCabrera's wild pitch to add an insurance run in the eighth.

The Cubs were blanked for the 16th time this season. It's thesecond time they have been shutout in back-to-back games, theother instance coming July 21-22 at St. Louis.

"Not a lot of quality at-bats again, left some guys on, strikingout with guys in scoring position again," Cubs manager DaleSveum said. "It's kind of typifying the whole season, these lasttwo nights swinging the bats."

NOTES: Astros OF Scott Moore left in the second when he was hurtdiving for Castro's shallow popup. The team announced he hadirritation in the AC joint in his left shoulder. ... Astros 2BJose Altuve left in the fifth with discomfort in his left groin.Neither player is expected to play Wednesday. ... The Astrosstart Edgar Gonzalez (3-1, 4.15 ERA) on Wednesday. Travis Wood(6-13, 4.39) goes for Chicago. ... The Astros are one victoryshort of 4,000 wins in franchise history. They are 3,999-4,133in 51 seasons.

The activities offered by advertising links to other sites, may be deemed an illegal activity in certain jurisdictions and are void when prohibited. The viewer is specifically warned that they should make their own inquiry into the legality of participating in any of these games and/or activities. The owner of the web sites assumes no responsibility for the actions by and makes no representation or endorsement of any of these games and/or activities if they are illegal in the jurisdiction of the reader or client of this site.